This week’s reading discussed the problem that public health has, in that it has grown from its beginnings as a social force, to more of a biological one, placing a policy of “individual responsibility” in its place.The reason it is a problem is that being health is something you don’t choose, for if it were, we would all choose to be healthy. The author suggests that public health needs to return to its roots, battling unhealthy conditions, working as a social movement, and incorporating minority groups. I agree. Without the power to affect social change, public health is useless. This stems from a realization that our social standings affect our health, no matter who we are.
Having discussed healthcare with many people of differing political opinions, I feel that it comes down to whether you think everyone deserves to be healthy, or just those who can afford it should be healthy. It reminds me of one time quite recently when I wasn’t feeling well, so I Googled my symptoms (as one does). I happened upon a post of someone asking what could be wrong with them, saying they couldn’t afford to go to the emergency room, and that they’d just rather die than get another $8,000 bill. That struck me as incredibly sad, and only reinforced my belief that there is something wrong with out healthcare. I am not one who believes in strong central governments, but I do think everyone deserves good health care.
